Method of making a family blast shelter in a basement



Feb. 1, 1966 M. M. ROSENFELD 3,232,022

METHOD OF MAKING A FAMILY BLAST SHELTER IN A BASEMENT Filed Nov. 21. 1961 INVENTOR. MORTON M. ROSENFELD 60/ H64 20, WNW

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,232,022 METHOD OF MAKING A FAMILY BLAST SHELTER IN A BASEMENT Morton M. Rosenfeld, Mount Vernon, N.Y.

(271 Madison Ave., New York, N.Y.) Filed Nov. 21, 1961, Ser. No. 153,849 2 Claims. (Cl. 52744) This invention relates to a family blast shelter, and more particularly, to a blast shelter and method of making the same.

The office of Civil Defense Mobilization recently published a pamphlet designated as The Family Fallout Shelter, MP-lS. This pamphlet is the result of an extensive studyby many persons skilled in the art of fallout shelters. The pamphlet is quite extensive in its coverage of the problems to be encountered in providing a family fallout shelter. in thebasement of a building as well as an underground shelter.

The present invention is directed to a blast shelter which differs from a fallout shelter by the provision of a shelter formed from solid walls and ceilings as compared with the Civil Defense fallout shelter which merely provides a layer of loose blocks for the ceiling of the shelter when the shelter is constructed in the basement of a building.

Of prime importance in the area of fallout shelters, is the provision of a shelter withinthe basement of a residential building. As a general rule, floors in a building are supported by floor joists which are in the nature of supports having dimensions approximately two or three inches by ten inches. The distance between the basement floor and the lowermost surface of the joists is generally seven feet. In the above-mentioned pamphlet, the ceiling for the fallout shelter comprises two layers of blocks supported by 2" x 4 cross beams. The rows of blocks and the cross beams have a thickness of approximately twelve inches thereby reducing the distance between the floor of the basement and the ceiling joists to approximately six feet. 6

The present invention is directed to shelters and a method of making the same so that the shelter will have a higher ceiling than those proposed by the above-mentioned pamphlet. The present invention includes a species which is primarily adapted for use when a home is being constructed. The present invention also includes Patented Feb. 1, 1966 It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for providing a reinforced concrete ceiling for a shelter disposed within a basement of a home.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention there is shown in the drawings forms which are presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIGURE 1 is a sectional view of a blast shelter disposed within the corner of a basement of a building.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of a blast shelter disposed within the corner of a basement in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along the lines 22 in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of a blast shelter disposed within the basement of a building, and illustrating the manner in which the ceiling may be provided in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view on a reduced scale illustrating the relationship of the walls of the blast shelter of the various embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein like numetals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIGURE two species wherein an existing residence may be converted into a blast shelter and yet have a ceiling which is spaced from the floor by a distance corresponding to approximately the distance between the floor and the lowermost surface of the floor joists.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a t It is another object of the present invention toprovide a novel blast shelter particularly adapted for use in basements of buildings.

It is another object .of the present invention to provide a method for converting an existing basement corner into a blast shelter. 4

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for converting an existing corner of a basement in a building into a blast shelter wherein the ceiling of the shelter is spaced from the floor by a distance corresponding to approximately the distance between the floor and the lowermost surface of floor joists.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a family blast shelter within the corner of a basement, with the ceiling of slab.

the shelter being a reinforced concrete sect each other.

1 a building designated generally as 10. The building 10 includes a basement having a floor 12 and foundation walls 14 and 14'. The foundation walls and the floors are generally poured concrete. The walls 14 and 14 may be concrete blocks, stone, etc. The walls 14 and 14' intersect at substantially right angles to form a corner of the basement. A blast shelter designated generally as 16 will be disposed within said corner of the basement.

, The blast shelter 16includes walls 18 and 20 which are substantially at right angles to each other and inter- One end of the wall 18 extends from the wall 14. One end of the wall 20 extends from the wall 14'. As shown more clearly in FIGURE 5, a portion of the wall 20 is cut away adjacent to wall 14' so as to provide a doorway 22.

A wall 24 is provided in a position so as to be sub.- stantially parallel to the wall 20. The Wall 24 extends from the wall 14'. The space between the walls 20 and 24 constitutes a passageway 26. The passageway 26 is in communication with the basement of the building 10. A water barrier 28 extends between the walls 20 and 24.

In a new building, the walls 18, 20 and 24 as well as the water barrier 28 may be poured concrete, blocks, etc. As illustrated, the walls are formed from courses of overlapping blocks. The water barrier 28 extends from the floor 12 for a distance of approximately eighteen to twenty-four inches. Awall of this height is sufiicient to permit persons to step thereover while at the same provides an effective barrier against the entrance of water into the shelter 16. Such water may come from the eruption of watermains, floods,'etc. Gamma rays cannot travel in straight lines. Hence, gamma rays cannot enter the shelter 16 by way of the passageway 26 and the doorway 22. However, contaminated flood waters may enter the shelter 16. Hence, the water barrier 28 performs an extremely important function. A When constructing a new building, the walls 18, 2 0 and 24 will be provided prior to the construction of the floors of the building 10. Thereafter, the floor joists 30 may be provided in a manner so that the joists 30 are supported at one end by'the foundation of the building 10 and at the other end by the wall 20. A concrete slab 32, which may be precast, is then provided in a manner so that it is supported at opposite ends by the wall-20 and the foundation Wall 14. A side of the slab 32 will also be supported by the wall 18 and the wall 14'. It will be noted that the slab 32 has a thickness corresponding to the height of the joists 30. Thereafter, the subfiooring and the floor 34 may be provided over the joists 30andtheslab 32 in a conventional manner.

The blast shelter 16 will then have a ceiling which is integrated with the walls supporting the same. The

ceiling will be of reinforced concrete having a thickness of approximately eight to twelve inches. In this manner, the shelter 16 will be provided with a roof of sufficient thickness to prevent the entry of gamma rays therein. At .the sametime, the shelter will include a roof which is spaced from the floor 12 by a distance corresponding .to the distance between the floor- 12 and the lowermost surface of the joists 30. Thus, the shelter 16 will be provided with the samehead room which exists in the basement of the building 10. As a practical matter, the shelter 16 will have head room which is twelve inches more than .the head room provided in the shelter disclosed in the by a plurality of spacedsubstantially parallel floor joists 48. The first step in'providing the building 40 with a blast shelter 16' is the construction ,of the walls 18, 20', 24 and the water barrier28'. The primed numerals in FIG- URES 2 and 3. correspond with the designated walls in .FIGURE 5. The walls. of the. blast shelter 16 may be conveniently made of blocks disposed in overlapping relation with mortar between each course. The walls of the blast shelter 16' will be constructed so that the top surface of, the walls, 18', 20' and 24' are in abutting engagement with the lowermost, surface of the joists 48 thereby absorbing the weight of the floor and supporting the joists 48.

Thereafter, a section 50 of the floor 46 is cut out. Likewise, the portions of the joists 48. below the section 50 are also cut. The section 50 and the cutportions of the joists 48 are disposed to one side- A support surface 52 corresponding to the size of the section 50 is disposed within the blast shelter 16'. The support surfaceSZ is temporarily supported by a plurality of standards 54. The support surface 52 will be disposed within a plane defined by the upper surface of the walls 18 .and 20'. Thereafter, reinforcement members 56 will be disposed between the plane of the support surface 52 and the plane of the floor46. The ends of the reinforcement members 56 are preferably interconnected with the foundation walls 42, 44, and the floor joists 48 which are disposed over the wall 18'.. Thereafter, a slab 58 of concrete is poured and permitted to-harden.

When the concrete slab 58'has hardened, the floor sec tion 50 is replaced and the'support surface 52 is removed along with the standards 54. The thickness of the slab 58 will correspond with the height of the floor joists 48. Hence, the section 50 will be replaced in a manner so that its uppermost surface is flush with the uppermost surface of the fioor 46 thereby giving no indication that the section 50 differs from the rest of the floor. Of course, the width of the saw cut will be apparent. However, such width of the saw cut may be filled with any convenient material such as plastic, wood and the like. The filled saw cut may be conveniently concealed by the use of a rug orthe like over the floor 46. V t i Thus, it will be seen that the blast shelter 16' is substantially identical withjhe blast shelter 16. If desired, up-

right support posts may be provided adjacent the walls 20' and 44 as an added precaution to support the slab 58.

As seen more clearly in FIGURE 4, there is disclosed a building designated generally as 60. The building 60 is identical with the building 40. The building 60 includes foundation walls which intersect each other to form a corner in a basement within which a blast shelter 16 will be constructed. The first step in constructing the blast shelter 16" is to erect the walls 18', 20, 24' and the water barrier 28. Thereafter, reinforcement members 64 will be secured to the joists 48 in any convenient man- 'ner. The reinforcement members 64 will extend into the space between adjacent joists. The lowermost surface of the joists which have been provided with reinforcement members may be provided with a plurality of notches of substantial size.

A support surface 62 is then secured to the lowermost surface of the joists 48 in any convenientmanner such as by .nails and the like. In order to provide concrete between the joists, holes 66 are drilled or otherwise provided in the floor 46. The holes 66 are, at a point between adjacent joists. A nozzle 68 of a means for dispensing concrete under pressure will then be extended through the holes 66. Pressurized concrete will then enter the space between the floor 46, support surface 62 and juxtaposed joists. In this manner, a plurality of concrete slabs 70 interconnected by a portion extending through the notches in the joists 48 will be provided so that the blast shelter 16' will have a ceiling lying in substantially the same plane as the joists 48. The edges of the concrete ceiling will be supported by the joist along the wall 18', the wall 20", and interconnections between the foundation walls ofthe building 60.

Thus, it will be seen that the blast shelter of the present invention may be attained in a new building or in an existing building by modifying the same as proposed above. In this manner, persons disposed within the blast shelter will be provided with greater protection from above, greater head room and protection from flooding. In regard to protection from flooding, it will be noted that the fallout shelter proposed in the above-mentioned pamphlet is provided with air vents in the wall corresponding to wall 18. The air vents are adjacent the floor and therefore provide little or no protection against flooding.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A method of making a shelter in the basement of an existing building comprising the steps of erecting intersecting block walls in a corner of said basement defining an enclosure, providing one of said block walls with a door-way, extending said block walls upward until they are in abutting and supporting engagement with undersides of support joists which support the existing floor above said basement, removing floor and joist above said enclosure, the remaining floor and joists being supported on said block walls, erecting a concrete ceiling form within said enclosure at a plane coinciding with uppermost surfaces of said block walls, pouring concrete on said form over said walls to upper level of said joists, and. replacing the removed portions of said floor so that said removed portions are supported by said concrete.

2. A method of making a shelter in the basement of an existing building comprising the steps of erecting intersecting block walls in a corner of said basement defining an enclosure, providing one of said block walls with a doorway, extending said block walls upward until they are in abutting and supporting engagement with the underside of support joists which support the existing floor above said basement, erecting a concrete ceiling form within said enclosure at a position coinciding with the upper surfaces of said block walls, drilling holes through said existing floor from above, pouring concrete through said hole into the space between the existing floor and the ceiling form to fill said space to upper level of said joists, and then plugging said holes.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 462,953 11/1891 Jackson 52-169 594,812 11/1897 Smith 52-33-3 695,718 3/1902 Goodman 52-169 937,142 10/1909 Chappelow n... 52744 1,728,837 9/ 1929 Slayter 52-74'3 1,764,729 6/ 1930 Koch 52744 1,963,983 6/1930 Garrett 52236 X 6 2,037,007 4/ 1936 Conahey 523 10 2,669,860 2/ 1954 Bell 52- 600 2,977,723 4/ 1961 Rudinger 52-169 5 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,074,251 1/ 1960 Germany.

OTHER REFERENCES OCDM Publication, MP-15, The Family Fallout Shelter, June, 1959. 10

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

JACOB L. NACKENOFF, WILLIAM I. MUSHAKE HENRY C. SUTHERLAND, Examiners. 

1. A METHOD OF MAKING A SHELTER IN THE BASEMENT OF AN EXISTING BUILDING COMPRISING THE STEPS OF ERECTING INTERSECTING BLOCK WALLS IN A CORNER OF SAID BASEMENT DEFININGG AN ENCLOSURE, PROVIDING ONE OF SAID BLOCK WALLS WITH A DOORWAY, EXTENDING SAID BLOCK WALLS UPWARDLY UNTIL THEY ARE IN ABUTTING AND SUPPORTING ENGAGEMENT WITH UNDERSIDE OF SUPPORT JOISTS WHICH SUPPORT THE EXISTING FLOOR ABOVE SAID BASEMENT, REMOVING FLOOR AND JOIST ABOVE SAID ENCLOSURE, THE REMAINING FLOOR AND JOISTS BEING SUPPORTED ON SAID BLOCK WALLS, ERECTING A CONCRETE CEILING FROM WITHIN SAID ENCLOSURE AT A PLANE COINCIDING WITH UPPERMOST SURFACES OF SAID BLOCK WALLS, POURING CONCRETE ON SAID FORM OVER SAID WALLS TO UPPER LEVEL OF SAID JOISTS, AND REPLACING THE REMOVED PORTIONS OF SAID FLOOR SO THAT SAID REMOVED PORTIONS ARE SUPPORTED BY SAID CONCRETE. 